Traverse City 2025 Season Wrap-Up: Sport, Impact, and Gratitude

A Record-Breaking Season in Traverse City

The 2025 Traverse City Horse Shows season delivered 13 weeks of world-class sport and milestone moments for Northern Michigan. From Michigan’s first-ever FEI Nations Cup™—won by Team USA—to championships for hunters, jumpers, equitation, and young horses, the calendar was packed with excellence.
The season concluded with two thrilling weeks of international competition, highlighted by the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ CSI5-W–Traverse City* and the 55th American Gold Cup, where world no. 1 Kent Farrington captured victories in both events.
None of this would have been possible without the dedication of riders, trainers, sponsors, and fans whose commitment made 2025 unforgettable. Traverse City Horse Shows proudly celebrated the standout achievements of the year with the presentation of its year-end awards.

Year-End Awards

Leading Open Jumper Rider Award

Canada’s Erynn Ballard was recognized as the 2025 Leading Open Jumper Rider at Traverse City Horse Shows. A consistent force throughout the season, Ballard claimed wins in the $32,000 MacAllister CSI3 Welcome Stake* and the $32,000 Boehringer Ingelheim CSI3 Speed*, showcasing her precision and determination across multiple mounts.
She was honored during the American Gold Cup and presented with a Urtopia Joy Carbon E-Bike by Pedego Traverse City in celebration of her outstanding season.

Mason Phelps — Glen Farm Trophy

The Glen Farm Trophy, honoring the late Mason Phelps, is awarded to ambassadors whose generosity and leadership strengthen the sport’s future.
In 2025, the award was presented to the Jacobs Family—Joan and Lou Jacobs, Charlotte Jacobs, and Matt Calderwood—whose contributions to Traverse City Horse Shows, particularly their support of the USHJA Young Jumper Championships, have been vital. Their dedication continues to impact both the local community and the national equestrian stage.

M. Michael Meller Style of Riding Award

The M. Michael Meller Style of Riding Award honors riders who embody horsemanship, professionalism, and sportsmanship.
This year’s recipient, Francisco Goyoaga Mollet, stood out for his consistent podium finishes, commitment to Traverse City Horse Shows, and gracious engagement with fans and media. A fourth-generation horseman, Goyoaga carries on a family tradition of excellence while establishing his own mark in the sport.

Riders Boutique Leading Equitation Rider Award

Presented by Riders Boutique and Butet Saumur, the Leading Equitation Rider Award recognizes the competitor who earned the most points across age group equitation divisions during the season.
The 2025 honor was awarded to Charlotte Galley, who trains with Abby Blankenship of Three Ships LLC. For her consistency and excellence, Galley received a Butet practice saddle, celebrating her achievement and the sponsors’ support of equitation.

Sport Giving Back

Clear for the Cause – Highstreet Community Foundation

The Clear for the Cause initiative, powered by the Highstreet Community Foundation, turned every clear round over branded fences in weekly grand prix events into charitable support.
This season, the program raised $12,100, benefitting Brickways, JustWorld International, and Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan. Traverse City Horse Shows thanks Highstreet for making this initiative possible and for strengthening communities locally and globally.

Charity Ticket Program – Community Impact

Traverse City Horse Shows also celebrated the success of its 2025 Charity Ticket Program, which dedicated 100% of general admission ticket sales to local nonprofits.
This summer, the program contributed $55,505 to 14 partner organizations. During the final week, representatives from all partner nonprofits joined in the International Ring for a season-closing recognition, and Accelerate the Care, serving Northern Michigan’s Alzheimer’s community, was highlighted as Charity Partner of the Week.
From classic car raffles to check presentations, the program showcased the power of sport to create meaningful community impact.

Looking Ahead

As the 2025 season comes to a close, Traverse City Horse Shows celebrates not only the victories in the ring but also the connections, generosity, and community spirit that made this year extraordinary. With gratitude to all who contributed, we look forward to building on this momentum in 2026.

Press Release Traverse City – Ph Traverse City

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